BYRD EXPEDITION

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 9

BYRD EXPEDITION

THE SOUTHWARD TRAIL CONDITIONS MAKE HARD GOING Special to Press Association from the Byrd Expedition by Russell Owen. (Copyright.) .a BAY OF WHALES, October 18. Larry Gould and the members of his geological party, who had accompanied the supporting party for two days on the trail, returned last night to the base, and with them came Norman Vaughan, Eddie Goodall, Jack O’Brien and Mike Thorne, who had dropped .their loads where they can be picked up later and returned with a light sledge. Carl Petersen, who had gone out to test the radio set and the radio direction finder for use in connection with the plane later on, and Joo 1 tucker, who made movies of the trail work, also returned. They had perfect weather during the three days, but they brought back word that the supporting party was having a hard time because of the" condition of the surface. It is in ,a state of transition, and has a hard crust, through which the sledge runners break to granular and sand-like snow beneath, over which traction is very difficult. As a result they will probably travel very slowly until the the warmer weather. The temperature was at zero yesterday afternoon, and it has been hovering around zero this morning. Warmth makes the surface softer and the handling easier. , While the dog teams are struggling over the surface the aeroplanes are being rapidly put in condition. The engine of the Fairchild was tested the day the teams left, and it is being run again this morning for the final tuning This is the plane which was used so much last year, and it was in perfect condition when dug out this year from its snow hangar. It is about ready to take the air whenever it is needed, but of course with a blizzard likely to blow up at any moment it is not probable that there will be any flying yet awhile. The sun smiles here one moment and an hour later there may be a howling wind .and blinding drift, but it is good to hear the sound of the motor again for it means that the time when flying is possible is rapidly approaching.